We are pleased to announce the recent promotions of two long-time FHP members who have been named Deputy Directors and promoted to Lt. Colonels.

Lt. Colonel Silvester Dawson stands with his familyas he receives his promotional credentials.

Lt. Colonel Ernie Duarte stands with his familyas he receives his promotional credentials.

Lt. Colonel Silvester Dawson has been named the new Deputy Director for Special Operations, which oversees the offices of Personnel, Budget, Recruitment & Selection, Program Planning, Fleet & Property, the Bureau of Investigations and the FHP Academy. Lt. Colonel Dawson began his career with the Florida Highway Patrol in March 1983, attending the 68th Recruit Class. His first assignment was to Troop G in Jacksonville, where he served as a trooper and a Traffic Homicide Investigator. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1989, and assigned to Troop H – Franklin County. Dawson promoted to Lieutenant, Troop E (Miami) in 1991, and transferred to the FHP Training Academy in 1992. He promoted to Captain in Troop B (Gainesville) in 1993. In 1998, Lt. Colonel Dawson became the first African-American promoted to Major, serving as Troop Commander of Troop K – Florida’s Turnpike. In 2000, he was assigned to Troop L (West Palm Beach). In 2001, he promoted to Bureau Chief, and served as Director of the FHP Training Academy. In 2006, he was reassigned as Chief of the FHP Bureau of Investigations. Lt. Colonel Dawson attended the 194th Session of the F.B.I. National Academy, and has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Warner Southern College. Silvester is married to his wife Susan and has a son, Patrick.

Lt. Colonel Ernie Duarte has been named the new Deputy Director of Law Enforcement Support Services, which oversees the Office of Public Affairs, our Regional Communications Centers, the FHP Auxiliary and Reserves, the Lt. Governor Security Detail, Aircraft Operations, Traffic Homicide, and Contraband Interdiction. Lt. Colonel Duarte began his career with the Florida Highway Patrol in January 1989, attending the 82nd Recruit Class. His first assignment was to Troop E (Miami). He promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1993. In 1995, Duarte was assigned as Troop E’s Public Information Officer. In 1996, he promoted to Lieutenant and remained as Troop P.I.O. In 2002, Duarte promoted to Captain and transferred to Troop D (Orlando). Two years later, he promoted to Major and transferred to FHP Headquarters in Tallahassee to serve as our Agency’s Chief of Public Affairs. In October 2007, he was promoted to Director of Communications for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. In this capacity, he directed the agency’s internal and external communications. He was soon promoted to Lt. Colonel to serve as Deputy Director. Lt. Colonel Duarte holds a Bachelor of Public Administration degree from Barry University, and is currently enrolled in the Masters program at Barry University. He is married to his wife Patty and has two sons, Nicholas and Sean.

Please join us in congratulating these members on their well deserved promotions!